Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Centre Defends Unchanged ₹200 Pension Despite Calls For Hike
The Indian government gives pensions to some elderly people, widows and people with disabilities.
For elderly people aged 60 to 79, the central government provides ₹200 each month.
That amount has not changed for 19 years.
The government says studies found that many beneficiaries are satisfied with how the money is provided.
It also says the money helps pay for food and healthcare.
A social activist says ₹200 or ₹300 is far too little to live on.
He says the payments have not kept up with rising prices.
A parliamentary committee has also urged the government to look at the issue urgently.
The Centre said it has no proposal to revise the ₹200 monthly old-age pension under the National Social Assistance Programme.
The ₹200 amount for people aged 60 to 79 has remained unchanged for 19 years.
The government said evaluations found beneficiaries generally satisfied with pension selection, approval and disbursement.
Social activist Nikhil Dey called the payments inadequate and criticised the lack of inflation-linked revisions.
The NSAP covers 3.09 crore beneficiaries, while state and Union Territory top-ups range from ₹50 to ₹3,800 under the old-age scheme.
- Who
- The Union government, Minister of State for Rural Development Kamlesh Paswan, Congress MP Sunil Bose, social activist Nikhil Dey and a parliamentary standing committee on rural development.
- What
- The Centre ruled out revising the National Social Assistance Programme pension rates, including the ₹200 monthly old-age pension.
- When
- The government response and parliamentary committee recommendation were reported on August 11; the old-age pension rate has been unchanged for 19 years.
- Where
- The issue was addressed in the Lok Sabha and concerns beneficiaries across India.
- Why
- The government cited assessment findings indicating satisfactory implementation and beneficiary satisfaction, while critics called for higher, inflation-responsive payments.
Government Position
Critics' Position
Adequacy and beneficiary satisfaction
Government Position
The government said impact assessments found satisfactory implementation and that most beneficiaries expressed overall satisfaction with pension selection, sanction and disbursement.
Critics' Position
Social activist Nikhil Dey said ₹200 or ₹300 per month is inadequate and cannot cover beneficiaries' daily expenses.
Responsibility for higher payments
Government Position
The Centre said states and Union Territories can supplement central assistance from their own resources; existing top-ups vary by state.
Critics' Position
Dey criticised the Centre for expecting states to bear the cost if they want to provide more than ₹200.
Need for revision
Government Position
The government said there was no proposal to revise the rates, which have remained unchanged for 19 years.
Critics' Position
Dey and the parliamentary standing committee said the amount should receive urgent attention, with Dey noting that it has not been indexed to inflation.
- Old-age pension
- ₹200 per month for beneficiaries aged 60 to 79 under the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme.
- Pension at age 80
- Beneficiaries receive ₹500 per month after turning 80.
- Other central pensions
- The disability and widow pension schemes provide ₹300 per month to eligible beneficiaries.
- Total coverage
- The National Social Assistance Programme covers 3.09 crore beneficiaries.
- State top-ups
- State and Union Territory contributions under the old-age pension scheme range from ₹50 to ₹3,800 per beneficiary per month.
- Government position
- No proposal to revise the assistance rates was under consideration.
- Committee view
- The parliamentary standing committee on rural development called for renewed and urgent attention to pension revision.